I really get tired of people asking how much my rig costs!! Really, I guess I am just sensitive to the question. I invite family & friends over to do some viewing and we are not 5 minutes into it and someone has to ask. I usually tell them what I paid for my scope originally, then add I have done some upgrades. But then someone has to press the issue and demand to know what I have in it currently!

Isn't that considered impolite?

Maybe its the area I live in or something. The past few times I got this question I responded by asking what they have in their golf clubs and whether their wife knows that!

My answer to that question depends on who's asking. There are some people that I don't mind just giving them the answer. For most people though I try to deflect it like you do. I'll either tell them what a scope "like this" would cost or I say something like "not as much as you might think" or "a lot". Usually the answer you gave works for me. I've never had anyone continue to be persistent with the questioning.

If my wife asks I change the subject as quickly as possible! (Just kidding)

I am not defensive when someone asks how much something costs, maybe they are just trying to make conversation, maybe they want to actually know, maybe they are just trying to give someone (me) a chance to brag a little, one way or the other... Maybe they want to be able to tell their friends about the great time they had looking through a telescope and it cost xxx dollars.

I get the same thing. And I agree it is rude. I think in the future I am going to answer by telling them it's a (insert equipment name) and tell them to look it up on the internet. Because I don't care to remember. I have used "it's less than a Bassboat" in the past.

I don't consider it impolite. My guess is that for a lot of people, amateur astronomy is a semi-mythical hobby where the equipment is extremely hard to get and all telescopes cost a great deal of money. The idea of being able to see detail on planets, other galaxies, and so on, is probably mind boggling. And as such, it must take extremely expensive gear to do it.

It's similar to when a person sees a supercar and gets a chance to talk to the owner. One of the questions is almost invariably, "How much did that thing cost?" The exception to that is when the person knows about supercars, and then they already know the approximate price.

If you are certain the person is asking for those reasons, to justify their distaste or disinterest in the hobby, then I would agree it's rude. But making judgements like that can be extremely tenuous. I would be worried about putting off someone from the hobby that simply doesn't have the best people skills and comes across the wrong way.

I always try to remember that the more people I can get interested in the hobby, the better it is for all of us.

I would simply say that I started with a scope that only cost $$, and gradually I've moved up to this one that is quite a bit more expensive. I would then go on to tell them that they can get into Astronomy very inexpensively, even with a pair of binoculars they probably already have.

One can usually tell by the manner in which the question is asked, whether they are really interested. Remember, your answer may be heard by others close by, and depending on how you answer, it may turn someone off, that might be interested in getting into Astronomy.

If you are certain the person is asking for those reasons, to justify their distaste or disinterest in the hobby, then I would agree it's rude. But making judgements like that can be extremely tenuous. I would be worried about putting off someone from the hobby that simply doesn't have the best people skills and comes across the wrong way.

I always try to remember that the more people I can get interested in the hobby, the better it is for all of us.

That's what the Ferrari quote is all about. If they are being a snob, that quote will shut them up. If they are being serious, or just making conversation, that quote always draws a smile and most times a chuckle. After that its all gravy.

The only time I don't use that quote is when a kid asks, or when an adult starts off with "If you don't mind my asking..."

I don't find the question rude, but I do find some of these answers offensive.

I think people ask an honest question and I try to give them an honest answer. I think people want to know if it is an affordable hobby. The equipment looks very expensive, yet you can find some really inexpensive good quality equipment too. I tell them how much my expensive equipment is and right along side of it how inexpensive my equipment is. If you feel that intimidated in public, maybe you should find a more private place to view.

I had my AR152 on a CG-5 at an outreach once and a guy asked me: "What does something like this run? Two or three hundred?". I told him that it cost a little more than that, but he could get a decent beginner scope for around $300. I could tell he was asking because he was interested in getting into the hobby, so I wasn't annoyed; however, I did find it interesting how his concept of what astronomy gear costs was way off.

If you are certain the person is asking for those reasons, to justify their distaste or disinterest in the hobby, then I would agree it's rude. But making judgements like that can be extremely tenuous. I would be worried about putting off someone from the hobby that simply doesn't have the best people skills and comes across the wrong way.

I always try to remember that the more people I can get interested in the hobby, the better it is for all of us.

I agree. I am not suspicious when someone asks me a question, I figure they want to know, I can't think of a reason not tell them... It's never the first thing someone asks, it's part of a flowing conversation.

For those that are reluctant to answer the "how much does it cost" question, what is that concerns you, what makes you uncomfortable?

That's what the Ferrari quote is all about. If they are being a snob, that quote will shut them up. If they are being serious, or just making conversation, that quote always draws a smile and most times a chuckle. After that its all gravy.

Even if I had genuine interest in something, I'm pretty sure being told that would put me off. At the very least from the person/group that was out there. I'd probably find another astronomy club or whatever to get my answers and pay my dues.

Heh, heh, that's when it is nice to have my secret weapon... my homebuilt 16.5" f/6.5. Big, impressive, and it cost me all of $350 to build! That's what you can do with over 30 years of telescope making experience.

Yeah, I hate this question, but I'm honest and explain what they are seeing (I usually use my LXD75 AR6 for outreach) is not typical starter gear and this is a hobby that can be enjoyed with very modest gear, or even none at all!

I've gotten the question too.. But from friends who spend similarly on music gear and they haven't pushed which I Would think is rude. I know its kind of naive to say its not a financial decision hardly at all for me...my friends and family understand this about me. I am most clearly not of the type who would think of money when seeing say a motorcycle, telescope , some new technology/gadget or guitar...I think of how nice it is to use these quality things... I know some people even here think listing your gear is a bragging thing which I don't get either..I mean maybe it is for some, not myself. I thi kits helpful since I'm always giving and receiving info here.